C13 Jing Cheng Sent Her Home!

"Alright, I'll go and find him later," Lin Xiao agreed cheerfully, though with a hint of concern. "It's just that his painting theory might rival Jiang Shuyao's. I'm worried..."

If the Jiang family people meddle again, it could end up like last year.

"Stay vigilant until the competition. Also, take these paintings with you when you visit. He can learn from them. If you're interested, you might want to give them a try too."

"Okay!"

Yem Xi kept busy, sorting through her things.

Lin Xiao glanced at the clock; it was already past noon.

He crouched down next to Yem Xi. "Ms. Xi, what would you like to eat? I'll order some takeout."

"Whatever you think is good."

Yem Xi opened the remaining boxes, which mostly contained books and paintings left by her grandparents.

After placing the takeout order, Lin Xiao helped her organize everything.

Over at the Jiang family residence, Du Qingtian sat at the dining table, her face clouded with anger. "Has Yem Xi still not answered her phone?"

Hsu Lirong shook her head. "No."

Jiang Shuyao spoke up gently, "Perhaps Xi is tied up with something? Mom, let's start dinner. Yuhao is hungry too. We can have the kitchen prepare something for Xi when she returns."

Du Qingtian's features softened slightly at her daughter's suggestion.

Going hungry over Yem Xi wasn't worth it.

"Fine, let's eat."

Du Qingtian kept to herself what the driver had reported.

Yem Xi had been seen at the villa complex entrance, acting affectionately with some boy and leaving on a motorcycle with him.

A girl her age, not knowing to keep her distance from boys.

If rumors spread, they would surely tarnish her reputation.

And if the Wen family found out...

The more Du Qingtian dwelled on it, the more her anger flared. This meal was sure to be a tense affair.

She barely touched her food before setting down her fork.

Summoning Hsu Lirong, she headed to the living room for a private conversation.

Hsu Lirong stood by Du Qingtian's side, offering words of comfort, "Madam, that Yem Xi is nothing but a country bumpkin, lacking in manners and decorum. She's not worth your anger!"

Du Qingtian found solace in her words.

Yet publicly, she still claimed that wild girl as her second daughter.

Yem Xi's shortcomings were a direct reflection on her.

Du Qingtian was frustrated.

Hsu Lirong offered a strategy, "Madam, there's no need to rush. Just instruct the wild girl as the master has directed. She won't find any fault in public. Once she's of age, we can send her off. She'll never measure up to the young lady."

Du Qingtian felt a sense of revelation and her anxiety eased.

"You always see things so clearly!"

Hsu Lirong humbly bowed, replying with reverence, "Not at all, Madam. It's simply that you're too close to the situation."

Her words brought a smile to Du Qingtian's face.

"Later, give Yem Xi a call."

"Of course, Madam."

...

Yem Xi was busy organizing things in the villa until the evening.

As she stepped out of the courtyard, she noticed a car parked a few meters ahead, with a figure leaning casually against it.

It was Jing Cheng.

The warm, orange glow of the street lamp cascaded down upon him, his face obscured by shadows, making his expression indiscernible.

One thing was clear: he was watching her.

Yem Xi steeled herself and approached, "Young Master Jing."

Feeling his gaze from above, Yem Xi's irritation flared up again.

She needed to repay his favor as quickly as possible.

"Get in, I'll take you home," Jing Cheng said in a subdued tone.

Yem Xi clutched her bag's strap.

What could he possibly want at this late hour?

To think he was waiting just for her seemed presumptuous.

Jing Cheng had already opened the passenger door, "No dilly-dallying, get in."

Knowing she couldn't refuse, Yem Xi silently got in and buckled up.

They drove through the night in silence, the car weaving through the bustling traffic.

The car weaved through the bustling night traffic as Jing Cheng occasionally glanced at Yem Xi. The young girl sat properly, her gaze fixed ahead. He remained silent, knowing she likely wouldn't utter a word unless prompted.

At a red light, he handed her a card, "Private number, call this if you need anything."

Yem Xi hesitated before accepting it. The digits on the pristine white card were neatly printed.

"Thank you," she said, slipping the card into her bag nonchalantly.

"Aren't you going to save it?"

Yem Xi gritted her teeth, clearly frustrated.

She tapped her temple, "I've got it memorized..."

Then, she recited the number back to him with ease.

Jing Cheng let out a soft laugh and continued driving. The girl was endearing when she was focused.

Yem Xi turned her head toward the window, looking somewhat peeved. Jing Cheng felt an urge to pat her head but refrained, wary of her reaction.

Forty minutes later, they arrived at the Jiang family's residence. Yem Xi unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to Jing Cheng with a sincere expression, "Thank you for the ride home."

As she made to leave, Jing Cheng caught her black backpack, "Wait!"

She looked back at him, her brows knitting together in confusion.

"Step out first."

Jing Cheng exited the driver's seat, opened the rear door, and retrieved a heavy bag, handing it to Yem Xi, "Here, take this."

"What's this?" she asked, feeling the weight in her hands. Upon opening the bag, her expression soured.

Jing Cheng had bought her a hefty bag of study materials for her Third Year exams. She couldn't believe she was facing such a mountain of high school work again.

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